Machines for fabricating ribbed insoles for welt shoes



April 8, 1961 A. s. CLARK 2,979,744

MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES Filed Feb. 9, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenfm" Alfied J Clark '5 his Atzor A ril 18, 1961 A. s. CLARK 2,979,744

MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES Filed Feb. 9, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 18, 1961 A. s. CLARK 2,979,744

MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES Filed Feb. 9, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 2,979,744 MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES 9, 1959 A. S. CLARK April 18, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb.

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. S. CLARK April 18, 1961 MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES Filed Feb. 9, 1959 April 1961 A. s. CLARK 2,979,744

MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES Filed Feb. 9, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 April 18, 1961 A. s. CLARK 2,979,744

MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES Filed Feb. 9, 1959 8 Shets-Sheet 8 mm! W k Q [:II: I. Q

HUM Hm! United States Patent MACHINES FOR FABRICATING RIBBED INSOLES FOR WELT SHOES Alfred S. Clark, Beverly, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 791,874 12 Claims. (Cl. 12-40) This invention relates to the manufacture of insoles for welt shoes, and more particularly to a machine for adhesively attaching ribbed strips to insoles to provide sewing ribs thereon. The term ribbed strip as used herein has particular reference to a strip having an upstanding rib portion to which theoverlasted margin of a shoe upper and a welt are secured in the inseaming operation, and laterally extending flanges which secure the strip to the margin of an insole. An example of such a'strip is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,774,699, granted December 18, 1956, upon an application filed in my name. The invention is illustrated herein as embodied in a machine of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,670,480, granted March 2, 1954, also upon an application filed in my name. It will be understood, however, that in certain of its aspects the invention is not thus limited either to machines or to strips of the types referred to.

In accordance with current practice in attaching ribbed strips to insoles, the margin of an insole and the flanges of the strip are coated with an adhesive, usually of the pressure-sensitive type, and the flanges are pressed against the margin of the insole to secure the strip to the insole. This procedure has certain disadvantages, in that it involves a separate operation of precoating the insole with adhesive and requires the maintenance of an ample supply of adhesive in tacky condition. Also, the coating of the insoles usually requires the services of a special operator who coats a substantial number of insoles at a time and places them upon a rack on which they sometimes remain a suflicient length of time for the adhesive to dry out, with the consequent need of activating the adhesive before attaching the strip in order to restore its tackiness. Furthermore, the precoated strip material is usually purchased by the shoe manufacturer in rolls of several hundred yards each, and is often stored in the factory for a length of time such that the adhesive on the attaching flanges of the strip may lose its tackiness and require activation before use.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved machine for attaching an uncoated ribbed strip to an uncoated insole.

As herein illustrated, the machine comprises a support for a supply of ribbed strip material, a supportfor a coil of rod adhesive, and a power-operated member for drawing the strip from the supply toward engagement with an insole supported on a table, and for also pressing successive portions of the strip against the insole margin and feeding the successive portions of the parts bonded together. The machine also comprises a heated melting device or unit into which a solid rod of adhesive is fed as the attachment of the strip progresses around the periphery of the insole, a nozzle to which molten adhesive is supplied progressively from the melting unit, and a member from which liquid adhesive is extruded for application to one of the parts at a point just in advance of the point of contact between the parts. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the "extrusion hesive is controlled by a valve which is opened and closed 2,979,744 Patented Apr. 18,1961

.esive is extruded onto the flanges in the form of narrow ribbons or threads.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the presser and feed member and the rod adhesive feeding and extruding means are so interconnected and operated that the feed of the rod adhesive into the melting unit and the extrusion of liquid adhesive through the extrusion member occur in timed relation to the movements of the presser and feed member to attach the strip and feed the work. More particularly, the power means by which the presser and feed member is operated includes means which imparts to this member intermittent reciprocating vertical movements to press the strip flanges against the insole, and additional means which imparts to the same member reciprocating horizontal movements to feed the work. A connection is provided between the means which imparts feeding movements to the presser and feed member and the means which feeds the rod adhesive into the melting unit, whereby the rod adhesive feeding means is operated in timed relation to the feeding movements of the presser and feed member and at the same rate of speed. The extrusion of liquid adin timed relation to the starting and stopping of the presser and feed member.

In accordance with another feature of the invention,

the machine is provided with improved mechanism which operates a knife to sever the strip at the end of an attach-' ing operation in a manner such as to cause the knife to execute its operative stroke with a downward component of movement to cut through the rib portion of the strip,-

and to be raised from the work at the end of its cutting stroke and prior to returning to its initial position, thereby to avoid cutting through the insole margin.

The machine is further provided with means rendered operative upon initiation of operation of'the knife to prevent operation of the presser and feed member while the knife is being operated, the means referred to being also effective to prevent feed of the rod adhesive into the melting unit and extrusion of the molten adhesive onto the work while the knife is operated.

As in the machine of'my prior patent previously re ferred to, the presser and 'feed member is operated to: feed the work at rates variable atthe will of the operator from minimum to maximum, and .vice versa. In accordance with another feature of-the invention, novel means is provided for initially determining the maximum rate of feeding movements of the presser and feed member, and hencethe maximum rate of feed of the rod adhesive, in accordance with variations in the sizes of insoles to be operated upon in the machine.

Invention is. also to be recognized in a novel holddown which, upon initiationof an attaching cycle of the machine, is moved into engagement with the top of the rib portion ofthe stripbeing'attached to an insole, to guide the insole in a downwardly curved plane and preventthe-insolefrom being bent upwardly during thev attachment of the strip, thereby insuring application of the strip at all points along the periphery of the insole without gaps.

These and other features and advantages of the invenand particularly -for attaching the strip to an insole in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a left-handside'elevation of the head of the Fig. 7 is a schematic view in left? side elevation, on-

an enlarged scale and with parts. broken away; of an adhesive melting and extrudingunit; for coating a ribbed: strip, and of a portion of. the meansfor guiding the strip towards an insole, attaching it to.v thetinsole; and feeding;

the work;

Figs. 8, 9'and 10 truding means;

Fig. 11 is a schematic means, the strip attachingmeans, and strip-severingmeans in their relation to an insole during an. operating. cycle of the machine;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the machine illustrating the strip severing knife in the act of cutting a ribbed strip after its attachment to an insole;

Fig. 13 is a view substantially similar to Fig. 12, showing the strip severing knife after completing its operative stroke and before, returning, to its starting position;

Fig. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the adhesive attachment of a ribbed strip to an insole inthe machine of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a strip. of a type particularly suited for attachment to an insole in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 16 is a view of the ribbed strip with its attaching flanges. turned laterally with relation to its rib portion prior to being coated with adhesive;

Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the attaching flanges of the strip after being; coated with adhesive; and

Fig, 18 is a view illustrating the strip after its attachment to an insole.

The production of ribbed insoles for welt shoes by use of the machine provided by the present invention is best illustrated in Figs. 14 to 18, inclusive, which show an insole I, to which there is to be attached a ribbed strip S-having an upstanding. rib portion R and outer and inner attaching flanges 'F and- F Thestrip S is drawn from a source of supply, consisting of a roll of indefinite length, and is guided progressively toward a point where it engages the margin of the insole. At a locality just before the point. of convergence of the strip and the insole, adhesive is introduced between the. insole and the flanges of the strip and the flanges are immediately thereupon pressed against the insole 'to secure the strip permanentlythereto. The adhesive, which is preferably in the form of an elongated rod of solid thermoplastic cement C, is drawn from a: source of supply and guided toward-the point at which. the strip engages the insole and, during its travel toward that point, is progressively subjected to heat to render it tacky. The application of the strip begins at a point along one margin of the insole, for example, at the heel breast line, and proceeds along that margin, then around the toe end, and finally along the opposite margin to a point opposite the starting point. As an attaching operation thus progresses around the periphery of the insole, the successive coated portions of the strip are pressed against the insole and the insole and strip are fed together in determined increments. For so-called sewed seat work, the strip may be appliedcompletely around the periphery of the insole.

The machine comprises a vertically adjustable post 20 (Fig; 1) mounted in a column or base (not shown) and are detailed views of the adhesive. ex;

view showing the extruding having secured to its upper end' a plate 22 to which is bolted a head. 24 comprising an upstanding plate 26 which constitutes the frame on which are supported the operating instrumentalities of the machine. A horizontal shaft 28 is journaled in the frame 26 and is continuously rotated by a pulley 30 pinned to the shaft and provided with a flywheel 32 The pulley is driven by a belt 34 from an electric motor (not shown).

The shaft 28 carries a pair of eccentrics 36; 38 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) engaged respectively by straps 40, 42 located substantially at right angles to-each other. The strap 40 projects forwardly and is connected by a short shaft or pin 44 to a downwardly extending rod 46 which is pivotally connected at its lower end by a pin 48 to an L-shaped arm or lever 50 fulcrumed on a pin 52 (Fig. 2) fastened in a boss 53 on the frame 26. The pin 48 also pivotally secures to the lever 50 a downwardly ex- 7 tending arm 54 forming part of a presser and feed foot assembly 56, hereinafter referred to as the presser and feed foot or. simply the presser foot. The presser foot isisecured to the lower end of a downwardly extending bar 58" which is pivotally connected at its upper end by a short shaft or pin 60 to a forwardly extending rod 62 to which is also pivotally connected by a short shaft 64 the strap. 42 engaging the eccentric 38. About midway its length the bar 58 has pivotally; connected thereto bya pin 66 one end of a horizontal arm 68, the other end of'which is fulcrumed on the pin 52 on which is ful crumed the arm or lever 50 previously referred to. lie-- tween the arms50 and 68 is interposed a relatively heat 1 spring 69 (Fig. 3) which is compressed upon downward movement of the rod 46, as will be explainedhereinafter, thereby causing thearm 68 to move downwardlyabout its pivotal connection 52 to impart yielding downward.

movement'to the bar 58 and hence to the presser foot 56 to cause it to press the flanges of a ribbed strip S against the margin of an insole I supported on a table 7t)- Through mechanism more fully described in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,670,480, the presser foot 56 is operated through a substantially elliptical path in which it is alternately and intermittently moved downwardly to apply attaching pressure'to the flanges of the ribbed strip, then forwardly to feed the combined insole and attached strip, then upwardly and rearwardly' to repeat another operating motion. The mechanism forimparting: reciprocating vertical or pressing movement to the presser foot' comprises an inverted U-shaped yoke or link 72 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), the opposite arms of which are se cured to shafts 74, 76 journaled in the frame 26 and normally in alinement with the shaft 44 which pivotally connects the rod 46 to the strap 40 associatedwith the eccentric 36. Within the yoke 72 is mounted a similar yoke178, the opposite arms of which are secured to the .shaft 44 and the upper or bridged. portion of which is arrangement the links of which are joined at the center by the shaft 44 to which the strap 40 associated with the eccentric 36 is also connected. Breaking of this toggle is produced by depression of a treadle (not shown) which causes the inner yoke 78 to be swung forwardly, as viewed from the front of the machine, or to the right as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and swings the shaft Sit out of alinement with the rod 46, whereby reciprocation of the eccentric 36 imparts reciprocating vertical movement to the rod 46 and, through the pivotal connection of this rod to the arms 50 and 68, reciprocates the bar 58 which carries the presser foot 56, to cause the latter to press the flanges of the ribbed strip against the insole.

the rod 46 constitutingthe lower 'linkof thetoggle. I

The mechanism by which the double'yokes or links 72, 78 are swung, as above explained, upon depression of the treadle to break the toggle mechanism formed by these links with the rod 46 and to impart reciprocating vertical movement to the presser foot 56, comprises a lever 82 (Figs. 1 and 4) secured to the outer end of the shaft 74 on which the outer yoke or link 72 is secured. The lower end of the lever 82 carries a roll 84 which is in engagement with a cam surface 86 formed on an L- shaped lever 88 pivoted on a stud 90 threaded into the frame 26. The roll 84 is maintained against the cam surface 86 by a spring 92 secured at one end to the lever 82 and at its opposite end to a pin 94 mounted in the frame 26. A rearward portion of the lever 88 has pivotally connected to it the upper end of a rod 96 the lower end of which is connected to the operating treadle. When the treadle is depressed to start an attaching op eration, the lever 88 is swung in a clockwise direction (as seen in Fig. 4) about its pivot 90 and causes the lever 82 to swing counterclockwise, against the tension of the spring 92, whereby the double yokes or links 72, 78 and the shaft 80 are swung out of alinement with the rod 46 which, as previously explained, forms a toggle mechanism with the yokes 72, 78. Breaking of this toggle imparts reciprocating vertical movement to the presser foot 56 in the manner described above. Upon further depression of the treadle, the roll 84 engages a second cam surface 98 on the lever 88, which cam surface is concentric with the center of the pivot 90 about which the lever fulcrums, whereby the double yokes or links 72, 78 are maintained in the forward position to which they were swung by the initial downward movement of the treadle rod 96.

Mechanism substantially similar to that just described for imparting reciprocating vertical movement to the presser foot is also provided for imparting to the presser foot reciprocating horizontal movement to feed the insole and the attached strip. This mechanism comprises an inner U-shaped yoke or link 100 (Figs. 2 and 3) secured by a pin 102 atthe opposite ends of the shaft 64 which pivotally connects the strap 42 of the eccentric 38 to the forwardly extending rod 62. The yoke 100 is rotatable on a shaft 104 carried by an outer U-shaped yoke or link 106 (Fig. 1) one arm of which is secured to a horizontal shaft 108 journaled in the frame 26 while the other arm is secured to a similar shaft (not shown) also journaled in the frame. The shaft 108 extends beyond the frame and has secured to its projecting end a lever 110 which, as shown in Fig. 4, is normally held in horizontal position against a stop 112 by a sprlng 1l4'attached at one end to the lever and at its opposite end to a pin 116 in the frame 26.- The inner or left-hand end. of the lever 110 carries a roll 118 arranged to be engaged by a cam surface 120 on the lever 88. When, upon downward movement of the treadle rod 96, the lever 88 is moved clockwise (with reference to Fig. 4), as above described, to impart operative movements to the presser foot 56 through engagement of the roll 84 with the cam surface 98, the cam surface 120 engages the roll 118 carried by the lever 110, causing thls lever to turn clockwise, against the tension of the spring 114, thereby rotating the shaft 108 in the same direction. Rotation of the shaft 108 moves theshaft 104 on which the yoke or link 100 is pivoted downwardly, out of alinement with the horizontal rod 62, thus breaking the toggle mechanism formed by the yokes or links 100, 106 with the rod 62, so that rotation of the eccentric 38 through the strap 42 makes and breaks the toggle mechanism in a manner to reciprocate the rod 62 rearwardly and forwardly and to impart corresponding movements to the lower end of the bar 58, and hence of the presser foot 56, to produce intermittent feed of the work.

As explained in Patent No. 2,670,480, previously referred to,-the eccentrics 36, 38 are normally positioned and, by their continuous rotation at constant speed, irri-- part to the presser foot 56 movements in an elliptical path normal to the plane of the insole to press the flanges of the strip against the insole and feed the combined insole and attached strip. It will be evident that less time is required to operate around the periphery of a small insole than is required to operate around a large insole, while at the same time the presser foot must execute the requisite number of pressing strokes in order to bond all parts of the strip to the insole regardless of its size. Also, it is desirable to slow down the operation of the presser foot when operating around the toe portion, especially if his narrow. Accordingly, the speed of the feeding movement of the presser foot may be varied from minimum to maximum, and vice versa, without substantially varying the uniform rate of its vertical or pressure applying movements, this variation in feeding speed being determined by the pressure exerted on the treadle by the operator to vary the angular displacement of the lever 88 which locates the roll 118 carried by the lever on different portions of the cam surface on the lever 88, as hereinbefore described. Thus the operator may, by varying the pressure on the treadle, control the extent of clockwise movement of the lever 88 from zero to maximum, and vice versa, to vary correspondingly the rate of the horizontal component of feeding movement of the presser foot. In the present machine the maximum rate of feeding movements of the presser foot for any given size insole may be initially determined by means comprising a plate 122 (Fig. 4) fixed to a bracket 124 mounted on the frame 26. The plate 122 is provided with an arcuate slot 126 engaged by a screw 128 extending through the upper end of an L-shaped member 130 pivotally secured by a stud 132 to the lower end of the plate 122. The plate 122 is provided with a dial portion 134 bearing numerals each representing an insole size. By loosening the screw 128 the L-shaped member 130 may be turned to locate a pointer 136 on the member in register with the numeral on the dial corresponding to a given insole size, after which the member may be fixed in that position by tightening the screw 128. With the member 130 thus fixed in the selected position, when the treadle rod 96 is moved downwardly by depression of the treadle, the lever 88 will swing clockwise until stopped by engagement of an abutment plate 138 secured to the lever with the horizontal arm of the member. As may be seen by reference to Fig. 4, the positioning of the L-shaped member 130 with relation to the numerals on the dial portion 134 determines the separation between the horizontal arm of the member and the abutment plate 138, and determines the action of the cam surface 120 of the lever 88 on the roll 118 carried by the lever 110, which in turn controls the angular displacement of the toggle mechanism formed by the yokes or links 100, 106 and the rod 62 which imparts feeding movement to the presser foot.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the strip S, drawn from a reel 140 (Fig. 14), is guided around a pulley 142 (Figs. 2 and 3) rotatably mounted on a stud 143 fixed in a bracket 144 secured to the frame 26, the leading end of the strip being threaded through an outer guide member 146 secured by a screw 148 to one end of an arm 150, the other end of which is pivoted on a pin 152 fastened in the boss 53.,

As shown in Fig. 1, the forward end of the guide member 146 is provided with a slot or guideway 154 in the shape of an inverted T for receiving the rib portion of the strip. Forwardly of the guide member 146 there is provided an upwardly tapering spreader or plow member 156 adapted to engage between the flange portions of the strip to separate and spread them apart before the strip passes into the guide member through the slot 154. From the outer guide member 146 the strip is advanced them 28 in u-l:tsta itia1- alinement with each other 75 through an inner guide, 158 formed with a slot or guide way similar to the slot 154 of the outer guide member 146, and thence over an extruding member 160 (see also Figs. 7 to 11) of which the surface engaged by the attaching flanges of'the strip slopesdownwardly and rearwardly in the direction of feed of the strip, the member constituting the lower portion of an inclined nozzle carrier or housing 162. As more particularly shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 11, the rear or inner tapered edge of the extruding member 160 is located directly in front of the presser and-feed foot 56, and is provided with a plurality of closely spaced capillary grooves through which heatedliquid adhesive is extruded in a manner shortly to be described, whereby, as the ribbed strip is'moved over this member progressively during an operating cycle of the machine, the attaching faces of the flanges are coated with adhesive in the form of a plurality of ribbons or threads for immediate bonding of the strip to'the insole by the presser foot.

The adhesive extruded through the member 160 is supplied to the machine in' the form of a solid rod of thermoplastic cement C drawn from a reel 164 (Fig. 14), and is melted and supplied to the extruding member by a device or unit generally indicated by the reference numeral 200 (Fig. 1), this device being substantially similar to that disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,765,768, granted October 9, 1956, upon an application of Hans C. Paulsen. As more particularly shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, this device comprises a block 202 having a guide tube 204 for receiving the rod of cement C. The tube is cut away at its opposite sides to expose the rod of cement for engagement by a pair of oppositely rotating feed wheels 206, 208 by which the cement rod is advanced first into an inlet tube 210 provided in a heated block 212 in which the cement rod is subjected to a preliminary softening before passing into a heated casing or melting chamber 214 having an inlet passage 216 which merges into a passageway 218 extending around the periphery of a melting disk 220 mounted on a. shaft 222 in the casing 214.

From the casing 214 the molten cement passes into an outlet chamber 224 at the lower end of the casing, in which chamber is mounted a pair of gears 226, 228 forming a pump by which the cement is supplied through an outlet passage 230 in the casing to an inclined groove or passageway 232 provided in a cylinder 234 mounted in the nozzle housing 162. The passageway 232 communicates with a passageway 236 extending laterally and downwardly in the nozzle housing. Thi passageway in turn connects through a transverse passage 238 (Fig. with a valve chamber 240 in which there is a valve 242 the lower end of which normally seats against a shoulder 244 formed between the passage 238 and a downwardly extending passage 246 which merges with r a transverse bore 248 formed in the base of the extruding member 160 and communicating with a plurality of capillary grooves 250 extending at right angles to the bore 248 toward the inner tapered end of said member.

The means for progressively feeding the rod of cement into the melting unit 200, and the means for extruding the heated liquid cement onto the flanges of a ribbed strip, as the latter is moved intermittently over the extruding member 160 toward 'the insole for attachment thereto by the presser foot 56, are arranged to be operated in synchronism with the mechanisms which impart to the presser foot alternate and intermittent strip pressing and work feeding movements. More specifically, and as will appear presently, the operation of the rod cement feeding means is synchronized to coincide with the feeding movements of the presser foot, while the operation of the cement extruding means is synchronized to coincide with the starting and stopping of the opera-- tion of the presser foot.

Referring to Fig. 2, the shaft or pin 60 which pivotally connects the upper end of the presser foot bar 58 to the rod 62 has pivotally mounted thereon the forward end 8 (as seen from the front of the machine) of a cross link 252. The rear end of the link 252 is adjustably connected to a rocker arm 254 (Fig. 5) in which is provided a slot. 256 for receiving a bolt 258 threaded through the link 252 and having thereon a nut 260 by means of which the link may be secured in various positions relative to the arm 254 for a purpose to be explained shortly. The hub'portion of the arm 254 is pinned to a shaft 262 journaled in a bracket 264 secured to a plate 266 forming a part of the machine frame. Also pinned to the shaft 262 is the hub portion of a bell crank lever 268 having a rearwardly projecting arm 270 and a forwardly projecting arm 272. The arms 270 and 272 are connected by adjustable links 274, 276 to a pair of Horton clutches 278, 280 keyed to a horizontal shaft 282 journaled in hearings in the plate 266. A sprocket 284 (Figs. 2 and 5) mounted on the outer end of the shaft 282 is connected by a driving chain 286 to a sprocket 288 mounted on a shaft 290 carrying a gear 292 which meshes with a gear 294 mounted on the shaft 222 which carries the melting disk 220. Another sprocket 296 on the shaft 290 is connected by a chain 298 to a sprocket 300 mounted on a shaft 302 which is supported in the frame. Also mounted on the shaft 302 is a sprocket 304 which is connected by a chain 306 to a sprocket 308 mounted on a shaft 310 on which is mounted the rod cement feed wheel 206. On the shaft 310 is also mounted a gear 312 which meshes with a gear 314 carried by a shaft 315 to drive the lower feed wheel 208.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that, as theshaft 60 is oscillated intermittently by the eccentric 38 to impart feeding movements to thepresser foot 56, the cross link 252 will be reciprocated and actuate the rocker arm 254 and the bell crank lever 268 and, through the links 274, 276 and the Horton clutches 278, 280, rotate the shaft 282' intermittently whereby, through the above-described'driving connection from the sprocket 284, the feed wheels 206, 208 will be rotated to feed the rod of cement C into the melting unit in timed relation to the feeding movements of the presser foot. Byadjustment of the cross link 252 in various positions relative to the rocker arm 254, the length of rod cement fed into the melting unit at each rotation of the shaft 282 may be adjustably varied to vary the quantity of cement extruded onto the strip flanges in accordance with the width of the strip to be applied or the nature of the insole material.

On the shaft 76 (Figs. 1 and 2) to which is secured one arm of the U-shaped link or yoke 72 is secured an arm 316 which is pivotally connected by a link 318 to one end of a bell crank lever 320 pivoted at 322 on the frame 26. The bell crank lever 320 is pivotally connected at its other end by a pin 324 to the upper end of a downwardly extending link 326 which is connected at its lower end by a pin 328 (see also Fig. 10) to a cross link 330 pivotally connected at one endby a pin 332 to the nozzle housing 162. The opposite end of the link 330 is connected by a link 334 to the valve 242. A spring 336 (Figs. 1 and 2) attached at one end to the link 326 and at its other end to the nozzle housing 162 tends normally to maintain the link 326 in the position in which the valve 242 prevents the flow of liquid adhesive from the passage 238 into the extruding member 160. Accordingly, when the shaft 76 is ini ially rocked clockwise, as seen in Fig. 2, by depression of the treadle, as earlier explained, to cause the eccentric 36 to impart vertical reciprocating or pressing movements to the presser foot 56, the arm 316 is rocked in the same direction and through the downward movement of the link 318 causes the lever 320 to swing counterclockwise about its pivot 322, thereby moving the link 326 upwardly, against the resistance of the spring 336, to move the valve 242 into a position in which heated liquid adhmive is permitted to flow from the passage 238 into the passage 246 in the extruding member and thence into the transverse passage-248 to be extruded 1m ugh r grooves 250 to coat the flanges of the strip as the strip is moved toward the insole over the extruding member. The valve is held in that position until it is returned to its closed position by the spring 336 upon release of the starting treadle by the operator.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the feed of the rod of cement into the melting unit and the extrusion of the melted cement to coat the strip as it is being applied to an insole are directly controlled by the mechanisms which control the operation of the presser and feed foot and synchronized to occur in timed relation thereto. In view of the fact that the presser foot is operated intermittently and alternately through an elliptical path to press the strip against the insole and to feed the work, as previously explained; and further, in view of the fact that the cement employed sets almost instantly upon contact with the strip, the advantage of synchronizing the operation of the cement dispensing means with that of the presser and feed foot will be apparent. By such arrangement assurance is had that immediately upon depression of the treadle, which causes the presser foot to be moved downwardly into engagement with the leading end of the strip, the valve will be opened to extrude cement (of which there is always a sufiicient supply left in the nozzle after the machine has been in operation a reasonable length of time) to coat the flanges of the strip in advance of the action of the presser foot. This arrangement further assures that cement will be dispensed in accordance with the requirements of the work and eliminates waste.

It has been explained earlier that the maximum rate of feeding movements imparted to the presser and feed foot 56 for a given insole size may be initially determined by adjustment of the pointer 136 (Fig. 4) on the L-shaped member 130 in register with a numeral on the dial 134 corresponding to the insole size. From what has just been stated in connection with the control of the feed of rod cement by the means which controls the feeding movements of the presser and feed foot, it will be apparent that adjustment of the member 130 for a particular insole size will also initially determine the maximum rated feed of ,the rod cement in accordance with the size of the insole to which a strip is to be attached.

The strip S is severed after attachment to an insole by a knife 340 (Figs. 1, l2 and 13) secured by screws 342 to a bar 344 pivotally connected at 346 to a bell crank lever 348 fulcrumed at 349 on the machine frame and connected by a rod 350 to a treadle (not shown). The knife bar 344 is actuated by an improved mechanism whereby the knife is moved forwardly to execute its cutting stroke, with a downward component of movement, and is then moved upwardly and rearwardly to return it to its initial position, thereby preventing it, in its return stroke, from cutting into the margin of the insole. To this end, the knife bar 344 has secured to it a plate 352 having a projecting portion in which is mounted a pin 354 carrying a roll 356 which is in engagement with a cam surface 358 formed on a cam plate 360 secured by bolts 362 to the frame. Pivotally connected by a stud 364 to the inner or left-hand end of the knife bar 344 is the lower end of a lever 366 having a slot 368 in which is mounted a block 370 pivoted on a pin 372 extending from the frame. To the lever 366 is pivotally connected by a screw 374 a detent 376 having a shoulder 378 which, in the normal inoperative position of the knife, is in engagement with'the lower end of the block 370 to maintain the block against the upper end of the slot 368, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The detent 376 carries a pin 380 which is in engagement with the under surface of the hook portion of alatch 382 fixed in adjustable position by screws 384 to abracket 386 secured to the machine frame. A spring 388 .attached at one end to the lever 366 and at its other endtojhe detent norrnally tends to maintain the detent in the position shown in Fig. 1. A tension spring 390 is 10 attached at one end to the lever 366 and at its opposite end to a bracket 392 secured to the bracket 386.

The mechanism just described operates in the following manner to cause the knife bar 344 to execute its operative stroke with a downward component of movement and to raise theknife from the work at the end of a severing operation and prior to the return movement of the knife.

bar. As illustrated in Fig. l, in the normal retracted position of the knife bar 344, the roll 356 is in engagement with a depression or concave portion of the cam surface 358, so that the knife is maintained in an elevated position. When the treadle to which the rod 350 is connected is depressed to operate the knife, the bell crank lever 348 swings in a counterclockwise direction, and the knife bar is moved forwardly, or to the left, from the position shown inFig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 12, and is guided to movein a substantially horizontal plane by engagement of the roll 356 with a raised or convex portion of the cam surface 358. During the forward movement of the knife bar the lever 366 swings in a clockwise direction about its pivotal connection 364 with the knife bar from its inclined position shown in Fig. 1 to the substantially vertical position shown in Fig. 12. This clockwise movement of the lever 366 exerts a downward pressure on the knife bar 344, against the tension of the spring 390, whereby the knife 340 is caused to cut across and through the ribbed strip attached to the insole. By the clockwise movement of the lever 366 the pin 380 carried by the detent 376 is moved into engagement with the tip of the latch 382 (as shown in Fig. 12) and, as the knife bar completes its forward stroke, the detent is tripped out of engagement with the block 370 (see Fig. 13), whereupon the spring 390 which was expanded by the clockwise movement of the lever 366, moves the lever upwardly until the lower end of the slot 368 in the lever is engaged by the block 370, thereby raising the knife from the work. The knife bar is then returned to its starting position by a spring (not shown) interposed between the rod 350 and the machine frame, this movement of the knife bar being limited by engagement of the ball crank lever 348 with a stop screw 393 (Fig. l) threaded through a bracket 394 bolted to the frame. During the return movement of the knife bar the roll 356 again en ages the raised or convex portion of the cam surface 358, thereby tending to maintain the knife bar in a substantially horizontal plane until it reaches the limit of its retractive movement, when the roll 356 engages the concave portion of the cam surface to allow the knife bar to assume its normally inclined inoperative position shown in Fig. 1. As the knife bar is retracted, the lever 366 swings in a counterclockwise direction back to its initial inclined position shown in Fig. 1.

Like the machine of Patent No. 2,670,480, previously referred to, the present machine is provded with mechanism for preventing operation of the knife during operation of the presser and feed foot to attach the strip and feed the work. This mechanism comprises a lever or arm 396 (Figs. 1, l2 and 13) pivoted on a shoulder screw 398 threaded into the ma'chne frame. An upwardly extending link 400 is pivotally connected by a screw 402 to the right-hand end portion of the lever 396 and has at its upper end (see. Fig. 4) a horizontal projection 404 arranged to be engaged by a roll 406 carried by an arm 408 secured to the lever 82. The lever 396 (Figs. 1, l2 and 13) also has secured thereto a plate 410 formed with a downwardly projecting flange 412. The arrangement is such that, when the treadle rod 96 (Fig. 4) is pulled downwardly by depression of the treadle which controls the operation of the presser and feed foot and the lever 82 is swung counterclockwise, as previously explained, the roll 406 on the arm 408 cugages the horizontal projection 404 on the link 400 and moves the link downwardly, against the tension of a spring 414 (Fig. 1) attached at its upper end to the machine frameand at itslower end to the lever 396. Down:

ward movement of the link 400 also causes the lever 396 to be moved downwardly about its pivot 398, whereby the flange 412 of the plate 410 carried by the'lever is located in the path of a plate 416 secured to the knife bar 344, to prevent operation of the knife while the presser foot operating treadle is held depressed. The link 400 is guided in its movements by a screw 418 (Fig. 4) extending from the machine frame through a slot 419 provided in the upper end portion of the link, the screw also limiting upward movement of the link by the spring 414.

Also like the machine of the previously mentioned patent, the present machine is provided with mechanism for preventing operation of the presser and feed foot to feed the work after the knife has been actuated to sever the strip. Th s mechanism comprises a vertical arm 420 (Figs. 1, l2 and 13) pivoted by a screw 422 to the machine frame. A spring 424 attached at one end to the machine frame and at its opposite end to the arm 420 tends to maintain the upper portion of the arm against a boss on the lower end of the lever 366, when the knife bar 344 is in its normal retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1. When the knfe bar is moved forwardly to cause the knife to sever the strip and the lever 366 connected to the knife bar swings from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 12, the arm 420 is swung counterclockwise about its pivot 422 by the spring 424, until stopped by a pin 426 mounted in the frame. -By this movement of the arm a shoulder portion 428 at the upper end of the arm is brought directly under 3. depending lug 430 of the plate 410 which is secured to the lever 396. With the arm 420 in this position, depression of the treadle to pull downwardly the rod 96 (Fig. 4) connected to the presser foot control lever 88 will produce no effect, clockwise movement of the lever sufiicient to impart operative movement to the presser and feed foot being blocked by the action of the roll 406 on theprojection 404 at the upper end of the link 400, wh'ch is at that time blocked against downward movement by the engagement of the lug 430 of the plate 410 with the shoulder portion 428 of the arm 420.

Since, as previously explained, the mechanism which controls the operation of the presser foot 56 also controls the operation of the mechanism which feeds the rod adhesive into the melt ng unit and also that of the mechanism which operates the valve 242 to admit liquid adhesive to the extruding member 164], it will be evident that the mechanism just described for preventing operation of the presser foot while the knife is being operated is also effective to prevent at that time the operation of the adhesive feeding and extruding mechanisms.

It is desirable that the strip which has been attached to an insole be held against the insole to prevent its detachment therefrom while the knife is severing the unattached strip. For this purpose the forward or lefthand end of the lever 396 (Fig. 1) is connected by a universal joint 432 to the upper end of a short link 434 (Figs. 1 and 3), the lower end of which is connected by a universal joint 436 to one end of ahorizontal arm or lever 438 pivoted on a screw 440 mounted in the inner guide 158. The opposite end of the arm 438 is pivotally connected by a screw 442 to a substantially vertical arm 444 provided at its upper end with a hook to which is attached one end of a spring 446, the oppositeend of which is fastened to a pin 448 mounted in the right-hand end of the arm 150. The lower end of the am 444 has secured thereto a member 449 having a toothedlower surface and adapted to engage the inner flange of the strip S between the inner and outer strip guide members 146, 158. i

In the normal, inoperative position of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the toothed member 449 is in engagement with the inner flange of the striptohold it against the bottom plate of the outer guide member146. When the presser foot operating treadle is depressed to start a strip attaching operation and the lever 396is downwardrnovement of the link 400, the am 438 is caused to swing in the same direction about its pivot 449. and the vertical arm'444 is lifted to disengage its lower toothed member 449 from the strip and permit free movement of the strip. Conversely, when the treadle is released at the end of an attaching operation and the knife control treadle is depressed to operate the knife, swinging movement of the lever 396 and of the arm 438 in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figs. 1 and 3) brings the toothed member 449 at the lower end of the arm 444 down into engagement with the inner flange of the strip to hold it while the knife is executing its cutting stroke.

As may be seen more particularly in Figs. .2 and 3, the

table 70 which supports the insole has a flat central por-,

tion and downwardly sloping end portions. The. slope at the right or entering end of the table facilitates the insertion of an insole between the table and the presser foot 56. The advantage of the slope at the left or, exit end of the table is ,that by causing the insole to be bent slightly downward out of its plane, there is assurance that the ribbed strip will be applied evenlyto the insole at every point, without the possibility of gaps resulting from so-called strapping, that is, bending of the insole upwardly under the strain of the strip asit is being applied. This arrangement of the table also makes it possible to eliminate the need of special means heretofore employed for feeding the strip at a slightly faster rate than the insole to insure an adequate supply of strip at all times.

To insure that the insole will be maintainedin contact with the inclined surface of the table for the purpose above stated, there is pivotaily connected to the inner, or lefthand, end of the previously mentioned lever 396 (Figs. 1, l2 and 13) the upper end of a rod 450 (Figs. 2 and 3) the lower end of which is pivotaily connected by a pin 452 to a short link 454 which is pivotally secured by a screw 456 to the upper end of a lever 458 pivoted at 460 on the machine frame and having secured thereto by screws 462 a holddown 464 in the shape of an inverted L, the horizontal arm 466 of which is located above the table 70. When the presser foot operating treadle is depressed to start an attaching operation, coun terclockwise swinging movement of the lever 396' (with reference to Fig. 3), produced by downward movement of the vertical link 400, causes the rod 450 to be moved downwardly and the holddown lever 458 to swing in a clockwise direction (as seen in Fig. 2), against the tension of a spring 468, whereby the horizontal arm 466 of the holddown 464 is moved into engagement with the top of the rib portion R of the strip to maintain the insole against the sloping surface of the table. and prevent it from strapping or bending upwardly under the pull of the strip as the attaching operation progresses around the periphery of the insole. The spring 468 is secured at one end to the machine frame and at its opposite end to an eyebolt 470 fast in the upper end of the lever 458. Counterclockwise movement of the holddown lever 458 upon release of the operating treadle is limited. by a stop 472 secured to a portion of the machine frame.

Having described my invention,'what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated insole an uncoated strip having an upstanding rib portion and oppositely extending attaching flanges, the combination of a unitary member operated to press the flanges of the strip against the insole and feed the combined insole and strip, power means for imparting to said member alternating and intermittent pressing and feeding movements, a chamberfor a supply of adhesive, and means operated by said power means in timed relation to the operation of the unitary member to extrude adhesive from said chamber between the strip flanges and the ini sole in advance of the point of operation of saidiunitary swung counterclockwise, as previously explained, by member.

2. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated insole an uncoated strip having an upstanding rib portion and oppositely extending attaching flanges, the combination of a unitary member operated to press the flanges of the strip against the insole and feed the combined insoleand strip, power means for imparting to said member alternating and intermittent pressing and feeding movements, a chamber for a supply of adhesive, means operated by said power means to feed adhesive into the chamber in timed relation to the feeding movements of the unitary member, and means acting to extrude adhesive between the strip flanges and the insole in advance of the point of operation of said unitary member.

3. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated insole an uncoated strip having an upstanding rib portion and oppositely extending attaching flanges, the combination of a unitary member operated to press the flanges of the strip against the insole and feed the insole and strip, power means for imparting to said member alternating and intermittent pressing and feeding movements, a supply of solid thermoplastic adhesive, a heated melting unit for rendering successive portions of the solid adhesive liquid, means operated by said power means in timed relation to the feeding movements of said unitary member to feed the solid adhesive intermittently into the melting unit, and means rendered operative upon the starting of the operation of said unitary member to extrude melted liquid adhesive between successive portions of the strip flanges and the insole.

4. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated insole an uncoated strip having an upstanding rib portion and oppositely extending attaching flanges, the combination of a unitary member operated to press the flanges of the strip against the insole and feed the combined insole and strip, power means for imparting to said member alternating and intermittent pressing and feeding movements at variable speeds, starting means for rendering said power means operative, a supply of thermoplastic adhesive in the form of an elongated rod of indefinite length, a heated melting unit for progressively rendering the rod adhesive liquid, means operated by said power means for feeding the rod adhesive into the melting unit in timed relation to the feeding movements of the unitary member, means through which a length of strip is guided toward engagement with the insole, said means including a member engaged by the attaching flanges of the strip, means arranged to extrude liquid adhesive through said last-named member to coat successive portions of the flanges in advance of the point of engagement betweenthe strip and the insole, and means for rendering the extruding means operative in response to operation of the starting means.

5. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated work piece an uncoated flexible strip, the combination' of a unitary member operated to press the strip against the work piece to bond it thereto and to feed the work, power means for operating said member, starting means for rendering said power means operative, means operated by said power means for imparting intermittent reciprocating movements to the unitary member to press the strip against the work piece, means also operated by said power means for imparting intermittent movements to said unitary member to feed the work piece and the strip, a supply of solid thermoplastic adhesive, a heated melting unit for rendering successive portions of the adhesive liquid, means operated by the means which imparts feeding movements to the unitary member for feeding solid adhesive into the melting unit, an extrusion member engaged by the strip and through which liquid adhesive is conducted toward the space between the strip and the work piece, a valve controlling admission of adhesive to said extrusion member, and a connection between said valve and the starting means whereby the valve is opened to admit adhesive to said extrusion mem- 14 her in response to operation of the starting meansto render the power means operative and closed upon operatin of the starting means to render said power means inoperative.

6. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated work piece an uncoated flexible strip, the combination of a unitary member operated to press the strip against the work piece to bond it thereto and to feed the work, power means for operating said member, means operated by said power means for imparting intermittent reciprocating movements to'the unitary member to press the strip against the workpiece, means also operated by said power means for imparting intermittent reciprocating movements to said member to feed the work piece and strip, a supply of solid thermoplastic adhesive, a heated melting unit for rendering successive portions of the adhesive liquid, means operated intermittently by the means which imparts feeding movements to the unitary member to feed solid adhesive into the melting unit, means for extruding liquid adhesive between the strip and the work piece in advance of the pressing movements of said unitary member, a connection between the means which imparts feeding movements to said member and the adhesive feeding means whereby the last-named means is operated in timed relation to the feeding movements of said unitary member, and means in said connection for variably adjusting the amount of adhesive fed into the melting unit during each intermittent movement of the adhesive feeding means.

7. In a machine for attaching to an insole blank a strip having an upstanding rib portion and oppositely extending attaching flanges, the combination of a support for a supply of ribbed strip material, a unitary member acting to draw ribbed strip from the supply, to press the flanges of the strip against the insole blank and to feed the combined insole and strip, means for imparting to said member alternating and intermittent pressing and feeding movements, a knife for severing the attached strip from the supply, means for actuating the knife, means arranged to impart to the knife during its operative stroke a downward component of movement toward the work to cut through the ribbed strip, and means acting at the completionof the operative stroke of the knife to move the knife upwardly from the work prior to the beginning of its return stroke.

8. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated insole blank an uncoated strip having an upstanding rib portion and oppositely extending attaching flanges, the combination of a support for a supply of strip material, a unitary member operated to draw the strip from the source of supply, press successive portions of the flanges thereof against the insole blank and feed the combined insole blank and strip, power means for imparting to said member alternating and intermittent pressing and feeding movements, a chamber for a supply of adhesive, means operated by said power means for feeding adhesive into the chamber in timed relation to the operative movements of the unitary member, means operated in timed relation to the operation of the unitary member to extrude adhesive between successive portions of the strip flanges and the insole blank in advance of the point of operation thereon by the unitary member, a knife for severing the attached strip from the remainder of the supply, means for actuating the knife, and means rendered operative by said knife actuating means for preventing operation of the unitary member while the knife is being operated and for also preventing the feeding and extrusion of adhesive at that time.

9. In a machine for attaching to an inSo-le a strip havmg an upstanding rib portion and oppositely extending attaching flanges, the combination of an insole support having a surface inclined downwardly in the direction of feed of the insole, a member operated to press the strip against the insole and to feed the insole and strip progressively, power means for imparting pressing and feeding movements to said member, starting means for rendering said power means operative, a holddown adapted to engage the top of the rib portion of the strip and guide the insole along the inclined surface of the support as an attaching operation progresses around the periphery of the insole, and means connecting said holddown to the starting means and actuated to move the holddown into and out of engagement with the rib portion of the strip in response to operation of the starting means to render the power means operative and inoperative. a

10. In a machine for attaching a ribbed strip to. an insole to provide a sewing rib thereon, a frame for-supporting the operating instrumentalities of the machine, a member operated to attach the strip to the insole and feed the insole and the strip attached thereto progressively, power operated means forimparting feeding movements to said strip attaching and work feeding member at rates variable from minimum to maximum and vice versa at the will of the operator, operator controlled means including a lever movable variable amounts for thus varying the rate of feed of the work, an abutment fixed to said lever, a dial plate fixed to the frame and provided with indicia corresponding to insole sizes, and a member pivoted on the frame and having a pointer arranged to be set in register with a selected indicium on the dial plate for a given insole size, said member being arranged to be engaged by the abutment on said lever to limit the operative movement of the lever and thereby determine the maximum rate of feed of the work in accordance with the size of the insole operated upon in the machine.

11. In a machine forattaching an uncoated ribbed strip to an uncoated insole to-provid'e a sewing rib thereon, a member operated to attach the'strip to theinsole and feed the work, power operated means for im parting intermittent feeding movements to said member at rates variable from minimum to maximum and vice versa at the will of theoperator, a device for dispensing adhesive between the strip and the insole to coat one of the parts as the attaching operation progresses around the periphery of the insole, means controlled by said power operated means for feeding adhesive'to said dispensing device in timed relation to the feedingmovements of said presser and feed member, operator controlled means ineluding a lever movable variable amounts to vary the rate of feeding movements of the presser'and feed member and of the adhesive feeding means, a dial plate, .and

a member movable into different positions with relation to the dial plate for insoles of different sizes and engageable with said lever to limit the operative movement of the lever and thereby determine initially the maximum rateof feeding movements of the presser and feed member and of the adhesive feeding means in accordance with the size of the insole to be operated upon in the machine.

'12. In a machine for adhesively attaching to an uncoated work pIece an uncoated flexible strip, the combination of a member operated to press the strip against the workpiece to bond it thereto and to feed the work, power means for operating said member, means operated by said power means for imparting intermittent reciprocating movements to said member to press the strip against the work piece, means also. operated by said power means for imparting intermittent reciprocating movements to said member to feed the work atrates variable at will from minimum to maximum and vice versa, a supply of solid thermoplastic adhesive, a heated melting unit for rendering successive portions of the adhesive liquid, means operated intermittently by said power means to feed solid adhesive into the melting unit in timed relation to the movements of said member to feed the work, means for extruding liquid adhesive between the strip and the work piece in advance of the pressing movements of said presser and feed member, operator controlled means movable variable amounts to vary the rate of feeding movements imparted to the presser and feed member and to the adhesive feeding means, and means'for initially determining the limit of movement of said operator controlled means, thereby to determine initially the maximum rate of feeding movements of the presser and feed member and of the adhesive feeding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent r UNITED STATES PATENTS 

